To be an American is of itself almost a moral condition, an education, and a career.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.

Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for friends: have virtuous people for friends, have for friends the best of men.

There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.

The passions grafted on wounded pride are the most inveterate; they are green and vigorous in old age.

Each religion, by the help of more or less myth, which it takes more or less seriously, proposes some method of fortifying the human soul and enabling it to make its peace with its destiny.

Intelligence is quickness in seeing things as they are.

Experience seems to most of us to lead to conclusions, but empiricism has sworn never to draw them.

Man is a gregarious animal, and much more so in his mind than in his body. He may like to go alone for a walk, but he hates to stand alone in his opinions.

The Difficult is that which can be done immediately; the Impossible that which takes a little longer.

Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen.

Wake up to realities! Real life is all about real things!

The journey of life is filled with unlimited opportunities and possibilities.

Development is a voluntary process. You need a positive decision to make the right steps, but it starts with introspection.

Something is always born of excess: great art was born of great terror, great loneliness, great inhibitions, instabilities, and it always balances them.

When there is a strong woman character in a story - that always grabs me

It is a general popular error to suppose the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.

He who receives his friends and gives no personal attention to the meal which is being prepared for them, is not worthy of having friends.

For Drake is no longer in his hammock, children, nor is Arthur somewhere sleeping, and you may not lie idly expecting the second coming of anybody now, because the world is yours and it is up to you.

I did not think; I experimented.